balk Definition
- 1hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking
- 2prevent someone from accomplishing something
- 3an illegal motion made by a pitcher that may deceive a base runner
Using balk: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "balk" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She balked at the idea of moving to a new city.
Example
The company balked at the high cost of the project.
Example
The defender's tackle balked the striker's attempt to score.
Example
The pitcher was called for a balk after faking a throw to first base.
balk Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with balk
Example
She balked at the altar and decided not to marry him.
Example
The player must hit the ball past the balk line to score points.
Example
He balked out of the project, leaving his team to complete it without him.
Origins of balk
from Old English 'balca', meaning 'ridge'
Summary: balk in Brief
The verb 'balk' [bawk] means to hesitate or resist accepting an idea or undertaking, or to prevent someone from accomplishing something. It can also refer to an illegal motion made by a pitcher in baseball. Examples include 'She balked at the idea of moving to a new city,' and 'The defender's tackle balked the striker's attempt to score.' Phrases include 'balk at the altar,' meaning to refuse to proceed with a marriage ceremony, and 'balk line,' a boundary for certain shots in billiards.
